Display sign



Dec. 5, 1939. G. H. EVANS 2,182,147

DISPLAY SIGN Original Filed Sept. 2l, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 um u 51mm@alge/Yiwu;

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Dec. 5, 1939. G, H EVANS 2,182,147

DISPLY sleN Y Original Filed Sept. 21, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3M 2965500@d/MW G. H. EVANS Dec. 5, 1939.

DISPLAY SIGN Original Filed Sept. 2l, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 @MWA Dec. 5,1939.

G. H. EVANS DISPLAY SIGN original Filed sept. 21, 1937' 4 sheets-sneei4Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY SIGN George H.Evans, Washington, D. C., assignor of one-half to Richard K. Stevens,Washington,

15 claims.

This invention which is a division of application S. N. 164,970 filedSeptember 21, 1937, relates to display signs, and more particularly tosuch signs in which sufficient movement is imparted to elements thereofto attract the attention of persons in proximity thereto while thecharacters displayed by the sign are suciently stationary to readilyconvey to the observer the intended significance.

The desirability of utilizing signs including means for attracting theattention of the public thereto is so universally recognized that it isnow common practice to produce extremely large and expensive electricalsigns having novel designs as well as illuminating sequence and toproduce, to a permissible extent, such novelties and illuminatingeffects in small signs, including those which are positioned withinmerchants show windows, on sales counters and the like. Since thesmaller signs have only a limited advertising value, it is not feasibleto utilize expensive small signs so that many attempts have been made tocreate small signs which are relatively inexpensive and yet sufficientlyattractive to warrant their use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a display sign which isinexpensive to produce and highly attractive as compared to previouslyknown signs of generally corresponding sizes throughout the entire rangefrom counter type signs to elaborate outdoor signs.

More specifically this invention contemplates the provision of a displaydevice in which the insignia, whether in the form of letters or designs,are each composed of. a plurality of periodically or continuouslymovable surface elements.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device havinggenerally stationary characters or letters or other insignia, while theelements, forming the outline or contour thereof, are periodically orcontinuously oscillated or shifted in their respective positions,thereby imparting sufficient motion to attract the attention ofpassers-by, while, at the same time, causing the insignia to remain inthe original perfectly legible position.

In the production of small signs the invention contemplates theemployment of surface elements in the form of beads or small balls ofany color or shape, or small convex or flat discs with reflectingsurfaces.

In the production of large signs in accordance with this invention,large ball or other surface elements may be utilized kto form thegenerally stationary insignia and in the manufacture of illuminating orself luminous signs the surface characters may be independent electriclight bulbs or self luminous elements.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of certain preferred embodimentsthereof, reference being had to the annexed sheets of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a display sign formed in accordancewith this invention with the driving mechanism for operating the surfaceelements being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of. Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a modified display sign formed inaccordance with this invention with the front wall and display elementscarried thereby being removed to show the interior mechanism;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the modication shown in Figure 3with the front wall and surface elements in position;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is an end View of asign formed in accordance with anotherembodiment of this invention wherein the surface elements are moved byan air current set up by an oscillating fan;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 8 8 of Figure7;

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a sign representing stillanother modification with a helical wire rotated along its axis by anysuitable power source, providing the operating mechanism for moving thesurface elements;`

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on line Ill- I0 of Figure9; and

Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are vertical sectional views showingdifferent methods of mounting the surface elements or heads with thependulum shanks thereof in the supporting panels or plates.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, I denotes a sign board of anysuitable size or shape provided with a display space or window 2, inwhich the insignia, characters or letters are placed. Each insignia,character or letter is composed of a plurality of display elements suchas beads, discs, balls, self-luminous objects or electric light bulbs 3which are mounted to have a slight oscillatory, rotary or combinedrotary and translatory motion while the letters are generallystationary, that is to say, the insignia, characters l or letters do notrevolve or have other exaggerated displacement from their originalposition on the sign board, so as to render the characters distorted.

The display elements 3 may be spherical or of any other shape, sizeorcharacter desirable for the intended use of the sign. They may bediscshaped, convex or concave and reflecting, selfluminous ortransparent, either plain or multi-'- colored, in order to adapt them tovarious uses. When the sign is of suicient size to permit it,

the display elements may be electric light bulbs.

` which act as pendulums.

Display elements 3 are mounted upon shanks i The shank of each displayelement may be straight or may terminate at its lower end in a weightedportion 5 so as to insure that the pendulum hangs downwardly from itsbearing which comprises an opening in which it is freely movable in thesupporting plate or panel l'. This opening may be ofany suitableconguration so as to adapt the surface element for the desired type ofmotion.

dow or display space 2. vScrews or other suitable means may be employedto secure the supporting plate 'l in place. Instead of mounting thedisplay elements on a separate panel l', they may be inserted directlyon the sign board l, but

`the former construction has, however, the advantages of an easy andquick change of characters.

'I'he pendulum Shanks actuated by their weighted ends 5, hangYdownwardly in a more or less inclined position but spaced from eachother in such a manner as to permit the weighted pendulum members tooperate Without mutual interference. In Figure 2 the shanks il areillustrate-d as being of substantially the same length but pendulumshaving Shanks of different lengths may be used to vary the degree ofrocking movement of any particular display member attached thereto.

On the rear of the sign board, positioned a suitable distance from thedisplay space 2, any suit- `able power means 8 with suitabletransmission means is mounted. The power means is operatively connectedto a drive shaft il having mounted thereon a propeller l@ provided withblades Il so positioned with respect to the weighted ends 5 of thependulum members as to strike them as the propeller is rotate-d, therebyimparting rotary, oscillatory, or combined rotary and translatory motionto theA display elements depending upon the arrangement of thelapertures 6.

The blade members l! may be made of some exible material, such asrubber, canvas, felt, or the like, in order to cause a silent motion andsoft impact with the weighted ends 5 of thev pendulum display elements.Should it be desirable to use pendulum members having Shanks l ofdiierent lengths as indicated above, the blade members H likewise may beof different lengths to adapt them to this modification of theinvention. The blade members H may be inclined at various angles toimpart different motions to the shanks on which the display elements aremounted.

When the propeller lb is operated intermittently, an oscillatory,rotary, or combined rotary and translatory motion may be imparted to thedisplay members. depending upon the configuration of the bearingapertures 6 and also upon the inclination of the vanes ll. The motionthus imparted will continue until the impelling force of the vanes Iihas ceased and each pendulum member has regained its equilibrium, inwhich case the pendulum member remains stationary until further rotationof the propeller. However, should it be desired to move the displayelements continuously, the propeller lll may be either rotatedcontinuously or the periods of rotation of the propeller may be soshortened that the pendulum members do not have time to come toequilibrium.

Other embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in Figures 3,ll, 5, and 6. In these iigures' the sign is in the form of a box-likestructure l2 which contains the operating mechanism. The front face ofthe box-like structure l2 consists of a plate or board I3, which isattached thereto in any suitable manner to form a unit. The sign boardE3 is provided with a window or `display space lll and to the rear ofthe sign board is secured the panel or supporting member i5 whichcarries the pendulum display members 3, d, and 5 in such a manner as toexpose them through the window or display space Ul, to spell, forinstance, the letters LUC,

As in Figures l and 2, the Shanks l extend inwardly in an operativeposition with respect to the impelling means i6, which comprises anendless belt with small preferably transversely directed blades or vanesEl attached thereto in any suitable manner. In these figures the shank iof the pendulum display members, as well as 'Q the vanes I1, areillustrated as being of substantially the same length, but may be variedin length to impart different rocking motions to the display elements.

The belt i6 is supported on one or more pairs of rollers i8, is, carriedon bearings 20, 2l, in the box l2, in such a manner as to runsubstantially parallel to the supporting panel l5, as well as to thedepending Weighted ends of the display members. able speed by a motor 22acting on roller I9, preferably from left to right, as indicated byarrow 24 in Figures 3 and 5. As the belt rotates the passing vanes ilstrike the weighted ends 5 of the display members to impart rotary,oscillatory or combined rotary and translatory motion thereto, dependingupon the configuration of the bearing apertures and the inclination ofthe vanes il.

As in Figures 1 and 2, continuous or intermittent motion may be appliedto the display members by continuously or intermittently operating theconveyor belt I6 in the manner described in connection with propeller i.

Instead of a single very narrow belt, as shown in these gures, a veryWide belt may be used to move several rows of characters simultaneously.It is likewise possible to use a plurality of smaller belts to impartdiir'erent motions to diierent banks of characters or to move each bankof characters at a different time.

With regard tothe modifications illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, 25represents a panel for supporting the pendulum display members 26, 21,and 28, while 29 denotes the baseupon which The belt is driven at asuitthe operating mechanism 30 is mounted. The front panel 25constitutes a display surface for the pendulum members, the shanks 21 ofwhich are mounted to move freely in their bearings 3| of any desiredconfiguration. In this case the motive force for setting each pendulumdisplay member into motion is derived from an oscillating fan 30, placedat one end of the structure in such a position that its air current isperiodically directed against the ends 28 of the pendulum members.Should the air current derived from one fan be insucient, a series `offans placed along the rows of pendulum members may be used.

In order to obtain the greatest effect from the air current, the ends 28`of the pendulum' members are made quite wide so as to offer greaterresistance thereto.

The pendulum display members 26, 21 and 28 may be operatedintermittently in which case an oscillating fan 30 is used, whereas ifit is desired to operate the display members continuously a stationaryfan is employed. Here also the pendulum display members may be given arotary, oscillatory, or combined rotary and translatory motion byemploying a slot of a suitable conguration.

It will be noted that, while the fan 30 is illustrated as being in backof the pendulum members, it is to be understood that it may be locatedbeneath the pendulum members or in any other desired position withrespect thereto to alter the rockingl motion of said display members.

Another modification of the present invention employing a diierentsource of motive power for actuating the pendulum members is illustratedin Figures 9 and 10. The device there sho-wn comprises a base 3| and afront wall 32 having a display surface through which the displayelements 33 of the pendulum members are visible. The pendulum membersare supported in individual apertures 34 in the front wall 32 and, asbefore, are composed of a head 33, shank 35 and end 36. At one end ofthe front wall 32 a motor 31 of any suitable kind is mounted. To thedriving shaft of the motor one end of a helically coiled wire 38 issecured and its other end is mounted to revo-Ive freely in a. bearing 38mounted on front wall 32 and located at the opposite end of thestructure 3l.

Once the motor 31 is started, the helical wire will revolve around itsaxis and impart a wavelike motion to the pendulum members, preferably inthe direction from left to right. As in the prior embodiments of thepresent invention, the pendulum display elements 33, 35, 36 may be givena continuous or intermittent oscillatory, rotary or combined rotary andtranslatory motion by employing slots 34 of suitable configurationand/or by operating the helical wire in the manner described inconnection with propeller I of Figures 1 and 2.

As before, the pendulum Shanks 35 may be of different lengths.

Other preferred constructionsof the pendulum display members areillustrated in Figures 11 through 16.

In Figure 11 the shank for the display head 3 is not straight, b-ut hasa horizontal upper portion 40 which ts freely in the bearing opening 4|of the double supporting panel 42. Below the crank portion 46 the shankterminates in a straight portion 43 bent downwardly and of sufcientlength and. Weight to insure that the display member will act as apendulum when set into motion.

The ball or head 3 of the pendulum display member 3, 44, 45, 46 isspaced from supporting plate 41 by the interposition of a sphericalrestraining member 44, in the embodiment of Fig. 12. The shank 45 of thependulum member is bent back upon itself as at 46 to prevent itsdisplacement from bearing 4l. It will now be evident that with anincrease in the lever arm of the ball 3, its amplitude of motion willalso be increased, thus producing a more effective and more noticeabledisplay.

In Figure 13, as in Figure 12, the ball or head 3 is spaced from thesupporting plate 41 by the 'interposition of a spherical restrainingmember 44, but in this case the shank 48 terminates in a small hook 49which retains weight or sleeve 50 on the shank and maintains thependulum in proper position.

Figure 14 shows an arrangement for mounting the display heads 3 in aninclined instead of a vertical plane. A stepped panel l having apertures4! in each horizontal portion for the shanks 52 of the pendulum membersis utilized for this purpose. Each pendulum member, as before, iscomposed of a display head 3, an intervening spherical restrainingmember 44 and a Weighted shank 52 which in this case hangs in a verticalposition.

Any of the previously described impelling means may be employed foroperating the pendulum members illustrated in Figures 11 through Thependulum member in Figure 15 comprises an L-shaped shank 53, 54, anecentrically mounted display head 55 in the form of a flat disc, and anauxiliary ball or washer 44 acting as a restraining member located onthe shank between the bearing and said display head.l

The pendulum members are mounted in a V-shaped panel 56 provided withhorizontally directed apertures 41 in both the front and rear wallthereof which serve as bearings for' the pendulum shanks 53,-theweighted ends 54 of which 'hang' down in a substantially vertical plane.The front wall of the panel 56 is arranged in a vertical position andthe rear wall is inclined with respect thereto, thus permitting Shanks54 to be spaced sufciently far apart to swing freely withoutinterference from each other.

When the pendulum members are actuated by any of the previouslydescribed impelling means, the display discs 55 will oscillate with themin substantially the same vertical plane. However, should it bedesirable to have the display discs 55 spaced at different distancesfrom the panel 56 for the purpose of creating raised insignia, saiddisplay elements will, of course, oscillate in different vertical planeswhen the pendulum members are operated.

The display members 55 are shown eccentrically mounted in Fig. 15 butthey may be concentrically mounted to produce a different effect.

The pendulum members of Fig. 16 are similar in every respect to thosedisclosed in Figure 15, except for the fact that the eccentricallymounted display members 51 are tilted with respect to the axis of theShanks 58. As in Figure 15 the display members 51 may be concentricallymounted should it be desirable to do so. v

'Ihe supporting panel 59 also is similar to the one illustrated inFigure 15, but in this instance both the front and rear Walls areinclined.

By this modification an extremely novel effect is created by reason ofthe fact that each display `element 5l will describe a segment of a coneas it moves in response to the actuating means. The display discsillustrated as being mounted to oscillate in a single inclined plane mayalso move in a plurality of inclined planes to produce rvarying effects.

j It will be obvious that the invention may assume other forms thanthose described above rwhich are to be considered as simply exemplary`and not as limiting the scope of the invention.

Ament to them whereby a rippling effect is produced.

3. A display device comprising a V-shaped panel support member providedwith bearing apertures for supporting pendulum members at spaced points,upon which insignia elements are mounted adjacent one wall of saidpanel, said pendulum members extending in different planes adjacent theother wall of said panel whereby to swing free of each other, and meansfor imparting motion to said pendulum members, said elements beingmounted eccentrically to amplify the motion thereof.

4. A display device comprising a V-shaped panel support member providedwith bearing apertures supporting L-shaped pendulum members upon whichthe insignia members at spaced points,

are mounted adjacent one wall of said panel, said pendulum membersextending in different planes radjacent the other wall of said panelwhereby to swing free of each other, and means for imparting motion tosaid pendulum members.

5. In a display device, a supportmember comprising spaced walls, bearingapertures in said spaced walls for cooperatively supportingindependently movable pendulum members, insignia elements mounted onsaid pendulum members, and means for imparting motion to said pendulummembers, whereby the insignia composed of said elements is provided witha motion effect.

6.' In a display device, a support member comprising spaced walls,bearing apertures in said spaced walls for cooperatively and freelysupporting independently movable pendulum members, insignia elementsmounted on said pendulum members, and means for imparting motion to saidpendulum members, whereby the insignia composed of said elements isprovided with a motion effect.

'7. In a display device, a support member comprising angularly spacedwalls, bearing apertures in said spaced walls for cooperativelysupporting independently movable pendulum members, y

insignia elements mounted on said pendulum members,and means forimparting motion to said pendulum members, whereby `the insigniacomposed of said elements is. provided with a motion eect.

8. In a display device, a support member comprising angularly spacedwalls, bearing apertures in said spaced walls for cooperatively andfreely supporting independently movable pendulum members, insigniaelements mounted on said pendulum members, and means for'impartingmotion to said pendulum members, whereby the insignia composed of saidelements is providedr with a motion effect.

9. A display device comprising a V-shaped panel support member providedwith bearing apertures, independently movable pendulum members mountedin said bearing apertures and adapted to extend through both walls ofsaid panel, insignia elements mounted on said pendulum members, andmeans for imparting motion to said pendulum members.

10. A display device comprising a V-shaped panel support member providedwith bearing apertures, independently movable pendulum members freelymounted in said bearing apertures and adapted to extend through bothwalls of said panel, insignia elements mounted on saidl pendulummembers, and means for imparting motion to said pendulum members.

11. In a display device, a support member comprising spaced Walls,bearings in said pendulum members, spaced walls for cooperativelysupporting independently movable pendulum members, insignia elementsmounted 'on said vpendulum members, and means for intermittentlyimparting motion to said pendulum members, whereby the insignia composedof said elements is provided with a motion effect.

12. In a display device, a support member comprising spaced walls,bearings in said pendulum members, spaced walls for cooperativelysupporting independently movable pendulum members, insignia elementsmounted on said pendulum members, and means for successively impartingmotion to said pendulum members, whereby the insignia composed of saidelements is provided with a motion effect.

13. A display sign comprising a support, insignia mounted thereoncomprising a plurality of elements mounted on independent rocking pieceshaving actuating and vcounterbalancing members projecting therefrom,said members lying in different vertical planes whereby to swing free ofeach other, and power-operated means for imparting motion to saidmembers whereby to move said elements.

14. A display sign comprising a support, insignia mounted thereoncomprising a plurality of elements mounted on independent rocking pieceshaving actuating and counterbalancing members projecting therefrom, saidmembers being staggered in their respective positions whereby to swingfree of each other, and poweroperated means for imparting motion to saidmembers whereby to move said elements.

15. A display sign comprising a support, insignia mounted thereoncomprising a plurality of elements mounted on independent rocking pieceshaving actuating and counterbalancing members projecting therefrom, saidmembers lying in different inclined planes whereby to swing free of eachother, and power-operated means for imparting motion to said memberswhereby to move said elements.

GEORGE H. EVANS.

